West Ham are weighing up whether to make a loan bid for Arsenal utility player Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports in the UK.
The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Roma, but a dispute over a purchase clause in the loan agreement means that the Hammers could step in and secure the player’s services instead.
Most fans on Twitter believe Maitland-Niles would be a good addition to David Moyes’ squad, although there are some who think that the club’s priorities should lie elsewhere:
Wouldn’t mind this
— Joe Southam (@joesoutham7) December 29, 2021
Great squad player I think
— Joe.douglas01 (@joedouglas01) December 29, 2021
Don’t get this? Need other positions.
— West Ham Somerset #GSBOUT (@WestHam_SW) December 29, 2021
great signing that would be
— Fr3d (⚒⚒⚒) (@FryerFreddie) December 29, 2021
Loan? What a shock.
— Mr R (@Happyhammer68) December 29, 2021
Would be an unreal signing
— Moyesiah (@d_goodbarne) December 29, 2021
Would struggle to make the first 11 when all are fit but not all are fit much lately so would be a really good squad player
— John–WHU–Tomlin (@johnnytomo05) December 29, 2021
Would Arsenal want to do business with us atm, though? Both teams trying to get Top 4.
— sb (@TheReelSB) December 30, 2021
Maitland-Niles would certainly give West Ham added depth in a number of areas. He does prefer to play in midfield, but he is equally comfortable being deployed in fullback or wingback positions.
Considering the Irons have had fitness problems on both flanks in the first half of the season, Maitland-Niles could provide decent cover. We shall see if the club do make a move in the January transfer window.